Preamble. Morning. The odd thing about England's outstanding victory in the first ODI is that it was basically scripted by three men: Alastair Cook, Steven Finn and Ravi Bopara. This is a mixed blessing. It means that there is significant scope for improvement but also that we probably shouldn't read too much into the events of Monday. We will have a better idea after today's game whether England are putting together a half-decent ODI side, or whether Monday was the 977th false dawn since 1992.

England have won the toss and will again bat first. That's a very good toss to win, because the ball did a bit under lights the other day. Cook is a magnificent tosser; he has won something like 17 out of 20 as captain. England are unchanged, while Pakistan bring in Azhar Ali, Abdur Rehman and Aizaz Cheema for Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz. The introduction of Rehman has to be bad news for England.

So how was Valentine's Day? That bad? Sorry. I won't bring the subject up again.

1st over: England 0-0 (Cook 0, Pietersen 0) The Sky commentators suggest that the pitch may be a little tired, and Umar Gul's section ball bounces short of the keeper after beating Cook's outside edge. The first over is an excellent maiden. That's it, I've had enough. Drop Cook, he's useless. Look at him, he's got a strike rate of 0.00. "There really haven't been that many false dawns," says Tom Evershed. "You make it sound as though we've won 977 ODIs since 1992. We haven't." Who needs victories for a false dawn? I hail a new era every time they hit a boundary or bowl a dot ball.

2nd over: England 8-0 (Cook 0, Pietersen 1) It's not often you're surprised to see a fast bowler take the new ball, but that's the case here. We thought either Hafeez or Rehman would bowl the second over, primarily with Pietersen in mind, but in fact it's the recalled Aizaz Cheema. His first over is a bit of a stinker. The second, third and fourth balls are all wide, with the third swinging down the leg side to the boundary. Cheema's got the white-ball blues. "Hang on... it was Valentine's Day yesterday?" deadpans Matt Turland. "No wonder the wife-to-be was a bit peeved at me opting to watch Starship Troopers instead of taking her out for a romantic meal. In my defence, Starship Troopers does have a little bit of romance in it. And Neil Patrick Harris." I've always wondered: do women ever refer to 'the boyfriend' or 'the husband' or ''im indoors'? I'm almost certain they don't. I've never understand why men do it. After all, these are not the most loving turns of phrase. It's almost as if men think they're referring to a piece of property!

3rd over: England 12-0 (Cook 0, Pietersen 5) A cracking stat from Paul Allott on Sky, who tells us that KP is No49 in the ODI world rankings, between Cameron White and Shaun Marsh. He is beaten on the inside by a good delivery from Umar Gul, and then walks across his stumps to flick the next ball fine for four. "False dawns," says Aatman Chaudhary. "Much like my approach to Indian fast bowlers, every time anyone touches 140 kph I break into a jig of uninhibited glee, Umesh Yadav has been hitting 150 consistently of late, and I've been moonwalking to work." That was the same with England in the early 1990s. You would not believe how exciting it was to see 'RF' after the name of an English bowler in Playfair. As natural highs go, it was up there with hearing the Home & Away theme tune.

4th over: England 16-0 (Cook 4, Pietersen 5) Cheema is given a second over, and Cook gets off the mark with a splendid push-drive through extra cover for four. "I think I might have watched too much American wrestling as a student," says Ant Pease. "How else can I explain that I sometimes reference the literary genius of 'Stone Cold' Jane Austen? I can't shake the idea of her pouring the can of whoop-ass to the right before passing it to the left. Is this normal?" That's not for me to jud- You eat ready meals for one, don't you?

5th over: England 19-0 (Cook 6, Pietersen 6) Cook crunches Umar Gul through midwicket for a couple, misses a zesty pull stroke and is beaten by a good one angled across him. This doesn't look the easiest pitch on which to score runs. "In answer to your question, my wife has just started writing a blog in which she refers to me as the OH," says Stuart Wilson. "She claims that it stands for other half, but secretly I think that it means obese halfwit. That would be more aligned with her other name for me, Mr Botchit, based on my tendency to do a half-baked job of any task that she ever assigns to me."

6th over: England 25-0 (Cook 11, Pietersen 7) The offspinner Hafeez replaces Cheema, and Cook times a gorgeous boundary between midwicket and mid-on. That really was an exceptional stroke, and it keeps England ticking off nicely. "A taxi driver once informed me in great and lengthy detail about 'the wife', and might even have mentioned ''er indoors'," says Stephen Davenport. "Such was the robustness of his Sahf Lahndon accent and his glottal stops, however, that not only was he dropping Hs and Ts, he managed to drop his Fs and a few other consonants as well. It took me a while therefore to understand who he meant by 'the wi''." In this wireless internet age, there must surely have been an hilarious mix-up in which a fast-talking Geordie complained about "the wife, aye". Honk! Honk? No, maybe not.

7th over: England 27-0 (Cook 12, Pietersen 8) Pietersen is walking across his stumps and down the track to Umar Gul, to open up the leg side. Two from the over. "Watched a bit of the Second Ashes Test 2005 last night – one's true love on Valentine's after all – and it reminded me just how far the ball reversed that summer," says Gary Naylor. "Pakistan and England were probably the best at this arcane skill, but even these nations' bowlers seem to have lost the knack. Where has reverse gone?" England got a fair bit in Australia, didn't they? Although you're right, it was going round corners in 2005, certainly at Edbgaston and Old Trafford.

9th over: England 48-0 (Cook 23, Pietersen 17) Pietersen clatters a slower ball from Gul this far over the head of Afridi (I think) in the covers. A princely drive down the ground makes it four boundaries in five balls for England. They've scored 21 from the last two overs. "I'm not sure how many of the OBO's readership regularly scroll through the various topics on 'Mumsnet' (you should, it's fascinating) but the common abbreviation used by the womenfolk for their other halves is DH," says Paul Claxton. "I've been assured by Mrs C that this refers to 'darling husband' but I still have my reservations." It must be that. Dickhead is one word in the Guardian style guide. (Possibly. It probably isn't in the official Guardian Style Guide, is it now.)

10th over: England 49-0 (Cook 24, Pietersen 18) The excellebnt Abdur Rehman – who I've just realised looks a bit like Dimitar Berbatov – comes on for Hafeez (2-0-15-0). He was a revelation in the Tests, although his one-day record is mixed: 17 wickets at 46.29 (but with a fine economy rate of 4.25). Just one from the first over. "The husband," says Sarah Morriss. "I have used this very phrase more than a few times. We've split up since mind..."

11th over: England 50-0 (Cook 25, Pietersen 18) Afridi is on for Gul. Cook square drives a single to bring up a good fifty partnership from 62 balls, the only run from a very good over. "A very Guardian riff," says Hugh Maguire. "While not one I use, at least the phase 'the wife' uses the definite article. If you referred to a wife then it would imply a lack of exclusivity that marriage is meant to convey. And actually 'My wife' implies more ownership, though is considered more acceptable. A colleague refers to the 'Current Mrs Jones' (name changed) though they have been together 40 odd years. Meanwhile – I'm enjoying the Current England Captain's knock." You're right about my wife and ownership, but it does sound more tender and loving. Hmm. We need a casting judgement from that expert on all things romantic, Mac Millings, masculinity's answer to Dr Ruth.

12th over: England 58-0 (Cook 26, Pietersen 23) Pietersen takes a couple of jaunty steps down the track and chips Rehman over midwicket for a superb one-bounce four. England are going nicely at the moment. "It's all about consistency," says Mac Millings. "It's fine for me, for example, to refer to 'the wife' as long as, when the inevitable happens and she sees sense and hands me the divorce papers, I then start talking about 'the barrel of Sorrows Drowner', 'the nights in with just me and the internet bongo' and 'the inescapable loneliness'."

REVIEW! England 58-0 (Pietersen not out 23) Afridi persuades Misbah to review the decision after Pietersen survives a huge LBW shout. This ls very close. Pietersen stretched forward defensively with bat and pad very close together; I suspect the ball hit pad first and then bat a split-second later, but I don't know if you can be absolutely certain of that. Is there evidence of a clear error? I'm not sure there is. We don't even know if was hitting the stumps. Pietersen got a huge stride in. Ah, it doesn't matter, because Hawkeye shows it was only hitting the outside of leg stump. That means the original decision stands, and Pakistan have lost their only review.

13th over: England 58-0 (Cook 26, Pietersen 23) Pietersen survives another big LBW appeal two balls later. He was beaten by a straight, quicker ball, but Pietersen was miles down the track – over three metres – and I think that's why Kumar Dharmasena gave him not out. It was missing leg stump anyway. Excellent umpiring from Dharmasena, and a superb maiden from Afridi. "The one that makes me vomit is 'hubby'," says Kathryn Oliver. "As in, 'Ooh, can't wait to see you girls! Are we bringing our hubbies??!!' No we are not."

14th over: England 61-0 (Cook 28, Pietersen 24) Three singles from Rehman's over. England's scoring rate has dropped a bit, with 13 from the last five overs, but that's understandable as they get used to facing this excellent slow bowling. "DH on Mumsnet is actually me," says Daniel Harris. "I'm a sensual, carefree, Berbatovian lover." Rehmanian you mean.

15th over: England 65-0 (Cook 31, Pietersen 25) Cook is dropped by Umar Akmal. He top-edged an attempted cut at Afridi, but Umar Akmal was slow to react and the ball bounced out of his gloves. It's hard to be too critical of Akmal, especially because, as Waqar Younis says on Sky, he is a part-time keeper. "A friend of mine refers to his lady partner as his 'Doris'," says Tom James. "I've never quite understood it. My grandmother was called Doris, maybe this feeds my discomfort around the term."

WICKET! England 67-1 (Pietersen LBW b Ajmal 26) Saeed Ajmal strikes with his third ball. That was far too easy. Pietersen dragged his bat around his front pad at a delivery that straightened sharply from around the wicket to hit the pad in front of middle stump. He was so plumb that he barely considered a review.

16th over: England 69-1 (Cook 32, Trott 2) Shabash shabash Ajmal. That was, as Nasser points out on Sky, almost identical to KP's dismissal in the second innings of the third Test, except he was bowled that time and LBW here. "How, for that matter, does one refer to someone to whom one is not married but with whom one is engaged in a, for want of a better word, ROMANTIC relationship?" says Jessie Greengrass. "'Boyfriend' makes you sound 12 and coy. 'Partner' is po-faced. 'Other half' makes me want to stick things in my eyes. I generally refer to my um, er as my er, well, um." You can't go wrong with 'squeeze'. (Disclaimer: you can go wrong. And will, bloody quickly – quicker than you can say 'do you have any ready meals for one' in fact – if you introduce your hot new boy/girlfriend by saying 'This my squeeze'.)

17th over: England 75-1 (Cook 37, Trott 3) Cook cuts Afridi for four, another cracking stroke. He is so important here, as England's middle order looks pretty fragile due to the number of players out of form or out of position. "My wife calls me Selve, and I call her Selve," says, er, Selve. "Easy to remember (and unless she is pissed off with me in which case she sounds like my mum). Confusing if I'm giving myself a talking to though." The Meg Ryan moments must be interesting as well.

18th over: England 80-1 (Cook 37, Trott 8) A rare bad ball from Ajmal, who is still bowling around the wicket to the right-hander, is wafted through extra cover for four by Trott. The relatively high number of boundaries for England in these conditions – 10 in 18 overs, new dawn ahoy – means that they won't be too worried by the dot-ball percentage in the last few overs. "I remember being very disconcerted as a youngster when my best friend would call his dad by his first name," says Peter Collins. "I'm 49 now, and can't conceive of calling my dad anything but, well, 'dad'. Does anyone else call their parents by their first names?" I assumed that only occurred in quasi-hippy films starring Patricia Clarkson.

19th over: England 85-1 (Cook 39, Trott 11) Trott fails to pick Afridi's googly and inside edges it past leg stump for one of five singles in the over. "Does Rehman actually look like Berba," says William Hardy, "or has his lack of action this season lead to withdrawal symptoms and hallucinations?" Yes he does remember Berbatov. So do Fearne Cotton, Ferris Bueller, Keyser Soze, Damien Hirst's shark and the potato waffle in my freezer.

20th over: England 88-1 (Cook 40, Trott 13) Three singles from Ajmal's third over. The game has settled down a little bit, although the middle overs are never truly boring when Pakistan are bowling. "I call my wife 'Selve' too," says Alex Netherton. Please, no jokes about the corridor of uncertainty, or the shiny side.

21st over: England 92-1 (Cook 42, Trott 15) Trott is beaten by a fine legspinner from Afridi. That ripped a fair way, and Trott was a little tentative because he can't pick Afridi. Four singles from the over. "I had a girlfriend who decided she didn't like the terms "girlfriend" or "partner"," says Patrick Harvey, "so I began introducing her as "my ladyfriend", with predictable consequences." You woke up in an episode of Downton Abbey?

22nd over: England 96-1 (Cook 44, Trott 17) Misbah is taking a bit of flak from Nasser and Waqar for his defensive fields, with singles available for England all round the ground. Four more in that over, which makes it (I think) 16 singles in the last four overs. "I like to refer to my better half, when introducing her to people, thus: "this is [name], who through no fault of her own has the very great misfortune to be engaged to me"," says Andrew Benzeval. "I find it's best to deal with it up front, before someone else points it out. I can't call her my "fiancé" anyway, as I'm not a character in a Thomas Hardy novel." And because she's female, presumably.

23rd over: England 103-1 (Cook 49, Trott 19) A pitiful long hop from Afridi is mauled over midwicket for four by Cook. This is excellent stuff from England. Even allowing for the inevitable mid-innings collapse, they are well set for a total in excess of 250. "Surely the safe approach is just to introduce or refer to your partner by their actual name," says Pete Inness. " This throws the onus of how to decribe them onto the person you're talking to – they can then either ask you straight out what the status of your relationship is, or just skip over the subject and move on, saving embarrassment on both sides."

24th over: England 105-1 (Cook 49, Trott 21) An excellent quicker ball from Rehman brings a biggish shout for LBW against Trott, but it was going well down the leg side. Pakistan desperately need a wicket, because England are stockpiling runs almost at their leisure. "My friend Matthew Moore refers to 'the future ex Mrs Moore', the old romantic," says Matt Costelloe.

25th over: England 108-1 (Cook 51, Trott 22) Cook cuts the new bowler Cheema for a single to bring up another excellent fifty, this one from 66 balls. It's the first of three singles from a low-key over, and here's Leo Mirani. "I suppose 'my chickie' is out of the question?" I'd say so, especially if you plan on having children in the future.

26th over: England 115-1 (Cook 57, Trott 23) Cook sweeps firmly behind square for two and then opens the face to steer past short third man for three. That's the sort of shot he almost certainly could not have played a year ago. The way he has expanded his game is mightily impressive. "I have been known to introduce my one and only as 'my first wife'," says Paul Taylor. "Really gets the conversation going, after a bit of awkward silence." Ha. That's the kind of thing Royal Tenenbaum would do.

WICKET! England 116-2 (Trott c U Akmal b Cheema 23) A tame end for Jonathan Trott, who throws the bat at a wide, shortish delivery from Cheema and snicks it through to Umar Akmal.

27th over: England 116-2 (Cook 58, Bopara 0) Bopara is beaten on the inside by his first delivery. That was a really good over from Cheema. "Wife names. The Warden. End of tedious thread," says John Dutton, whose gang I want to be in.

28th over: England 120-2 (Cook 60, Bopara 2) A leading edge from Cook, off the bowling of Rehman, plops not far short of extra cover. Then Bopara takes a suicidal single to mid-on, and only survives because Farhat's throw misses the stumps. "My brother worrying refers to me, his girlfriend and our mum by the same nickname: 'Bubs'," says Jonathan Hollis. "Permission to vomit." It does put the 'retch' in 'wretched', that.

29th over: England 128-2 (Cook 62, Bopara 8) Here's this week's edition of The Spin by young Bull. Back in Abu Dhabi, Bopara snicks Cheema just wide of the diving Younis at slip, and the ball rushes away for four. Eight runs from the over, which is harsh because it was an excellent one from Cheema. "The indispensable reference work that is Viz's Profanasaurus proposes that a female half of a married couple be referred to as a 'bag for life'," says David Hopkins. "I found this quite amusing, and am unmarried. I suspect these two things are not unrelated."

30th over: England 129-2 (Cook 62, Bopara 8) A fine over from Rehman includes five straight dot balls to Bopara. England are fine for now but they will have to slip a gear in the next few overs. "You can't beat the late, great Peter Cook on this subject," says Martin Sedgwick. "He generally opted for 'My good lady wife whose name, for the moment, escapes me.'

31st over: England 136-2 (Cook 68, Bopara 9) Cook rifles Cheema on the up through extra cover for four, the first authentic boundary for eight overs. Is this the bit where I tempt fate by wondering when an England batsman/opener/captain last scored back-to-back ODI hundreds? "I refer to you-know-who as 'my attainable alternative to Paul Collingwood'," says Kat Petersen. "Rarely to his face, mind."

32nd over: England 140-2 (Cook 70, Bopara 11) Cook survives a fairly big LBW shout from Rehman, but the ball was turning down the leg side. "Is it common practice for teams to stay in the same hotel whilst on tour?" says James Burckhardt. "Spotted England and Pakistan both having breakfast in my hotel today... English lads were very light eaters from what. I say – more fruit and muesli rather than grease and fry-up!" I think it's fairly common, although I don't really have a clue what I'm talking about as I'm usually in the office. Selve? Anyonoe?

33rd over: England 143-2 (Cook 71, Bopara 12) Hafeez comes on for Cheema, who bowled a very good four-over spell. Three from the over. "Re: 'squeeze'," begins Jessie Greengrass. "My grandmother once advocated the use of the term 'main squeeze', presumably designed to suggest that you are with the preferred of one's obviously many actual squeezes. Try using that one and still having anything but a pillow to squeeze by the end of the night."

34th over: England 148-2 (Cook 75, Bopara 13) Cook chops Rehman through backward point for a couple in an over that brings five. Rehman ends with figures of 10-1-36-0, a microcosm of his one-day career. "I have for some years referred to boyfriends (current, previous and those belonging to other people) as 'the manwife'," says Chantal Tucker. "No one has complained so far...to me anyway."

35th over: England 154-2 (Cook 79, Bopara 15) "As a Cornishman in London, I like to pay tribute to my heritage by referring to everyone as 'my lover' with a thick accent, regardless of whether or not they are, in fact, my lover," says Mark Jelbert. "The reactions range from mild surprise to looks of genuine pity."

36th over: England 159-2 (Cook 82, Bopara 17) England must take their batting Powerplay at this point (you have to use it before the 40th over). Pakistan turn to Saeed Ajmal, as you'd expect, and he beats Cook with the last delivery of a good over. "There's a lot of carping at ready-meal for one consumers," says Ian Copestake, "but really the high point is when you have them delivered."

37th over: England 168-2 (Cook 83, Bopara 25) Bopara pings Umar Gul through midwicket for three, a shot of excellent placement, and then slams a wide short ball through the covers for four. That brings up the fifty partnership.

38th over: England 175-2 (Cook 88, Bopara 27) "The Only Way Is Essex in the middle," says Nasser Hussain on Sky. Cook edges Ajmal through the vacant slip area for four, and three additional singles make it a good over for England. They should certainly get 250 here, and if Morgan comes off – a big if just now, admittedly – they might be nearer 300. "Since moving to UAE 5 months ago I have found many wonderful and many awful things about the country," says Michael Hunt. "The uppermost of each is that Burger King and KFC deliver to your door."

39th over: England 188-2 (Cook 99, Bopara 29) Cook moves into the nineties with a belting stroke, picking up Umar Gul over midwicket for four, and a square-driven boundary off the last ball takes him to 99. This is top work from England, who have scored 29 from four Powerplay overs. "Can I point any OBOers feeling a bit flush in the direction of my mate who, despite never having cycled more than 30km in a go, is attempting to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End in ten days," says Piers Barclay. "That's an average of 150km a day. He'll need all the help he can get, and it's for a very good cause."

40th over: England 192-2 (Cook 101, Bopara 31) Alastair Cook steers Ajmal for a single and becomes the first England captain to score consecutive ODI hundreds. What an awesome performance this has been. It surely kills any lingering doubts about whether he will make it in this form of the game. Cook celebrates calmly; he has always put the team first and he knows the job isn't done yet. "It is common practice in South Yorkshire for men to refer to their wife, or girlfriend, as 'our lass' and their mother as 'our old lass'," says Paula Finn. "Just thought I'd throw that into the mix!" Shared ownership eh? I'm saying nothing.

WICKET! England 194-3 (Cook ct and b Afridi 102) Cook pops a simple return catch to Shahid Afridi and boots the turf in disgust. That's a nice snapshot of a man who could barely give a solitary one about individual achievements. He is really cross with himself. In time he will reflect on these few days as some of the proudest of his career. He has played two outstanding innings, clear-headed and strong-willed, to lift England from their knees.

41st over: England 194-3 (Bopara 32, Morgan 0) Morgan is dropped first ball, bottom-edging a cut that bounces off Umar Akmal's fingertips. It was a very difficult chance, especially for a part-time keeper. "Personally I like the term 'fancy piece'," says Michael Plevin. "My dad once used it to describe a lady that one of my friends was stepping out with (I like that turn of phrase too). It sounds nice but I think it means prostitute. Most modern day ladies are (hopefully) unaware of this definition." Fancy piece?! That sounds like something you'd buy in Habitat.

42nd over: England 199-3 (Bopara 37, Morgan 0) Bopara slices Ajmal through the vacant slip area for four, and then a single brings Morgan on strike. This is a mighty test of his outstanding temperament, and he can't get off the mark from the last two deliveries. "Ever keen to flaunt my knowledge of French, I always referred to girlfriends as 'my heart', 'my doe' or 'my cabbage', some of the more common terms of endearment across the Channel," says David Guerry. "Having thus enlightened you I'll now tuck into my postprandial scotch egg.

43rd over: England 203-3 (Bopara 39, Morgan 2) Morgan is all over the place. He is beaten by an Afridi googly, and misses an attempted reverse-sweep next ball. He does get off the mark from his seventh delivery with a cut to short third man. "Valentine's day evening (or should that be Valentine's evening) was spent in a bar in Reykjavik listening to an Icelandic Fleetwood Mac tribute band," says Caro Cowan. "I'm sure there's some metaphor for my disastrous love life in there somewhere. Especially given my name (they, unfortunately, didn't play that song)."

44th over: England 209-3 (Bopara 41, Morgan 4) In times of trouble, Adam Gilchrist would remind himself of four simple words. Just. Hit. The. Ball. Morgan seems to be thinking too much, which is entirely understandable but probably not helpful. Six from Ajmal's over, including consecutive wides. "On the subject of Yorkshire," says Alex Marsh, "my housemate at Uni called his older brother 'our kid'. That said, he also called his dad 'Big Nardz' and his mum by her first name (Beryl), so I'm not sure whether you can take this as normal behaviour."

45th over: England 215-3 (Bopara 44, Morgan 6) No boundaries in Afridi's last over, although England will be happy enough to take six runs from it. Afridi ends with figures of 10-1-38-1. "Ten more years of this and Cook will be the first to reach the (not very artificial at all) milestone of 100 international hundreds," says Simon Thomas. "And who is to say he doesn't deserve it?" Meanwhile the 48-year-old Sachin Tendulkar will have just been dismissed for his 13th consecutive Test duck at home to Ireland.

46th over: England 221-3 (Bopara 45, Morgan 11) Cheema returns to the attack, so presumably Ajmal (8-0-39-1) will change ends. Morgan seems a bit happier with pace on the ball and steals consecutive twos to deep point and long on. Cheema finishes the over despite a calf problem, so we might not see him again today. "The magnificent Jonathan Richman wrote a fine song about the female semantic conundrum," says Chris Stephens. "For some reason the only version on the internet is seemingly recorded off an abysmal American internet station but you get the gist."

47th over: England 228-3 (Bopara 48, Morgan 15) Still no sign of a boundary – the last was in the 42nd over – but Morgan chips Ajmal over wide mid off for two in an over that yields seven. "Ravi's in an interesting position isn't he?" says Sir Garry Naylor. "If England secure the victory, I suspect we'll get a spate of 'New Responsible Ravi secures No4 slot as England's ODI side take shape'. If Pakistan get over line this evening, we'll have 'Ravi fails to capitalise on starts as England's middle order stutters'. History – written by the winners I understand."

48th over: England 232-3 (Bopara 50, Morgan 17) Bopara hooks Cheema for a single to reach consecutive ODI fifties for the first time in his career. (He did score three consecutive Test centuries, mind.) That was an excellent over from Cheema, costing just five. England have lost their way a touch, with only 44 from the last nine overs. "Why not use the old English system of referring to your wife (or as-good-as) by her surname?" says Suky Lo. "Unless her name is Haugh of course." Haw haw.

49th over: England 242-3 (Bopara 51, Morgan 24) That's the Eoin Morgan we know and love with a fervour that might be slightly inappropriate for a heterosexual male. He has just slog-swept Ajmal for a mighty six over midwicket, the first of the series on either side I think. Ten from the over, so AJmal ends with figures of 10-0-54-1. England will be happy with those. "In this day and age using the term 'partner' can leave people wondering if you're gay (which can be quite useful)," says Joanne Beasley. "However I sometimes use the phrase 'My mate'. People usually assume it's platonic which keeps the door open if you're talking to someone you quite fancy the look of. I know, I'm a romantic softy." Maybe you could introduce them by saying, 'here's XXX, he's my somebody I quite fancy the look of'. Up the romantic ante.

WICKET! 50 overs: England 250-4 (Bopara c U Akmal b Cheema 58; Morgan not out 25) Bopara falls to the last ball of the innings, slicing Cheema miles in the air. The last over cost eight, which was a good effort from the impressive Cheema. An ODI scorecard always looks a little odd if you lose only four wickets yet don't score more than 250. Still, on balance England will be pleased with that. Pakistan need 251 to win. See you in half an hour for their reply.

INNINGS BREAK

1st over: Pakistan 2-0 (target 251; Hafeez 0, Farhat 1) Hello again. No time for preambulation; here comes Steven Finn. His fourth ball is slapped towards the covers, where the substitute Bairstow saves four with an excellent stop. He's on for Bopara. That was a good first over from Finn, with an encouraging hint of sideways movement. "What was on the menu in the Guardian canteen, Rob?" says Anus McGuigan. It shuts between 2.30 and 4.30, Anus. And they don't serve foie gras anyway.

2nd over: Pakistan 5-0 (target 251; Hafeez 0, Farhat 3) Jimmy Anderson starts with a wide and then beats Farhat twice, first with a lifter and then an outswinger. "I like Americans who refer to their wives as 'my bride'," says Charles Hart. "It sounds romantic even after 30-40 years of marriage." It's a lovely thing when you see an octogenarian who still looks at his bride as if she's a pretty young thing in her early twenties. Except when it's Hugh Hefner, and she actually is in her early twenties.

3rd over: Pakistan 8-0 (target 251; Hafeez 3, Farhat 3) Finn looks mean and purposeful, stomping back to his mark before each delivery. Hafeez forces him through the covers for two to get off the mark, and then Farhat fresh-airs an expansive drive at an excellent outswinger. Good stuff from England. "Unless I had one too many pints of lunch, I swear that TMS are talking about the bowlers using a different new ball from each end, yet you've not mentioned it. (unless I missed that too)," says Phil Powell. "What gives?" Yeah, they've been doing that for a few months now – it was one of the changes they made last year.

4th over: Pakistan 9-0 (target 251; Hafeez 4, Farhat 3) Anderson strays onto the pads a couple of times but Farhat can't put him away. One from the over. You sense a big shot might be coming, certainly from Farhat. "The reference to the late great Peter Cook prompts me to ask about a film I saw ages ago about a bloke desperate for money in the short term and (I think) chasing all over London in pursuit thereof, stopping several times along the way to donate blood thus growing weaker and weaker as time wore on," says Paul Taylor. "Sounds like a Cook/Moore opus, but I have not been able to identify/locate same. Any ideas?"

5th over: Pakistan 9-0 (target 251; Hafeez 4, Farhat 3) A high-class maiden from Finn, who gave Hafeez absolutely nothing to work with. His figures are 3-1-4-0. "We call each other Mr and Mrs Starbuck, except at family events which would make it too confusing," says John Starbuck. "It all depends on the mood of the time, so now and again we do it in Italian or French; when I get called Sweetie Darling I know she wants something."

6th over: Pakistan 17-0 (target 251; Hafeez 4, Farhat 11) Farhat pings Anderson wristily through midwicket for the first boundary of the innings. A couple of twos make it Pakistan's most productive over by a distance.

7th over: Pakistan 18-0 (target 251; Hafeez 5, Farhat 11) Finn is all over Hafeez here. Every ball is on the money, ramming into the bat, and all Hafeez can do is squirt a single off the final ball of another very good over. "Following on from the earlier discussion about terms for partners/boyfriends etc, I am wondering if anyone, apart from me, gives names to their sat nav devices," says Phil Keegan. "I have had two of these things so far, one in Austria where I previously lived and one now in Malaysia, where I currently live. I have named them both Doris, though I have no idea why as I have absolutely no association or connection with the name at all. With my Austrian Doris, I used to alternate between the American Doris voice, who was no-nonsense and faintly aggressive, and the English Doris, who sounded constipated and and a bit annoyed (as I often am). German Doris was downright rude. With my Malaysian Doris, the only not totally annoying voice is Australian Doris, who cannot even come close to pronouncing Malaysian street names with any degree of accuracy, but then neither can I." I don't know what to say.

8th over: Pakistan 26-0 (target 251; Hafeez 13, Farhat 11) Stuart Broad replaces Anderson, and starts with a hideous loosener that is rifled through extra cover for four by Hafeez. His fifth ball drifts onto the pads and is chipped calmly over midwicket for four more. Well played. "Sorry for the absence Rob," says Selve. "I've been out to lunch at Carluccio with Selve. And then buying sun dried tomato focaccia, large green olives and sweet garlic from an Italian market. Now I come back to find that Alastair Cook has suddenly become one of the foremost ODI opening batsmen in the game today. Steve Finn, of course, I've been telling you about for ages. Should have played in the first Test, and was within minutes of playing in the second."

9th over: Pakistan 29-0 (target 251; Hafeez 13, Farhat 11) The fact England haven't taken any early wickets makes this a good test. Everything came fairly naturally on Monday after that early burst from Finn. They will have to work much harder to win this. Another excellent over from Finn is tarnished only by a wide. He has conceded only six runs from five overs. "I call my wife 'she who must be obeyed at all times without question'," chirps Ross Bennett. "Also 'the Boss', 'head honcho', 'la grande fromage' , 'the duchess', 'Queen Bee', 'thr trouble and strife' 'my significant other' 'life partner' 'woman of my dreams' etc etc now can we PLEASE drop this thread?????" Since you asked so nicely, why not? Anyone got a new thread.

11th over: Pakistan 39-0 (target 251; Hafeez 19, Farhat 17) This is an interesting move. With the first Powerplay done, Graeme Swann comes on for Steven Finn. His first ball is a jaffa that curves in and spits past Imran Farhat's outside edge. Kieswetter had the bails off in a hurry, but Farhat's back foot was just in the crease and he survived a referral to the third umpire. Swann's third ball also turns very nastily, back into Hafeez this time. Farhat drives the last ball confidently over mid off for four, but that was still a very encouraging over for England. "Can the next riff be nicknames for Ross Bennett?" says Ant Pease.

12th over: Pakistan 44-0 (target 251; Hafeez 22, Farhat 19) Five singles from Broad's over. "This is why I love the OBO regulars," says Dan Lucas, misspelling 'tolerate'. "A bunch of clever creative types writing names for the spouses they imagine themselves enjoying a relationship of Cook-Trott-esque longevity with, but whom we all all know to be about as real as Shane Warne's 874th variation on the flipper."

14th over: Pakistan 55-0 (target 251; Hafeez 25, Farhat 27) Ravi Bopara comes on for some wicket-to-wicket hustle. Five low-risk singles from the over; Pakistan are cruising just now. "A few people at work are planning a 'minestrone off' – are any of your readers able to recommend a recipe that will ensure my victory?" says Ian Middleton. "I don't really care if it's vegetarian or not." How strick is the definition of 'minestrone'? Just give them a Hawksmoor ribeye; they will be too overwhelmed with joy to complain about the fact it's not minestrone, or soup.

15th over: Pakistan 61-0 (target 251; Hafeez 26, Farhat 29) Hafeez survives a biggish shout for LBW when he misses a scoop at Swann. There was plenty of doubt over height and whether it hit him outside the line. Replays show it was a good decision from Aleem Dar. Farhat toe-ends the next ball not far short of cover. Plenty is happening for Swann, but England could really do with a wicket. "For Sara Torvalds (over 13)," says Janet Stevens "Any gig with Hoto on drums. (His proud good-as-godmother.)

WICKET! Pakistan 61-1 (Hafeez c Trott b Anderson 26) Some good captaincy from Alastair Cook brings the wicket England need. He decided to take the bowling Powerplay straight away, a risky move at a time when Pakistan were cruising, and was rewarded with a wicket two balls later. Hafeez tamely chipped an inswinger from Anderson straight to midwicket, where Trott took a comfortable catch.

16th over: Pakistan 69-1 (target 251; Farhat 32, Azhar 5) Farhat drives Anderson on the up and wide extra cover for three, and then Azhar Ali tickles some rubbish off the pads for four. "Sara Torvalds has to make sure she visits Vancouver Island," says William Hardy. "And do some skiing – Jasper, Whistler and Banff would be my suggestions. And go watch some hockey. It's annoying but mental."

17th over: Pakistan 70-1 (target 251; Farhat 33, Azhar 5)Samit Patel replaces Swann and rushes through his first over at a cost of a single. "I'd previously scoffed at your high praise for the Hawksmoor ribeye," says Jim Carpenter. "Recently got taken there on the company dime to discover that all the previous meat I'd ever eaten was just some form of imitation. And did you try the brussel sprouts? Best thing I've ever put in my mouth." I didn't because I'm slightly weird so I just had the meat, although my friends were also raving about the bone marrow gravy. The ribeye is unquestionably the best thing that has ever happened to anyone, ever.

18th over: Pakistan 76-1 (target 251; Farhat 37, Azhar 6)Azhar Ali is beaten by a grubbing cutter from Anderson that also goes through Kieswetter for a bye. That brings Farhat on strike, and he slugs the next ball over mid-on for a one-bounce four. That's an excellent stroke. He looks dangerous. "I would recommend a trip to Grouse Mountain, particularly very early in the morning when you've got it pretty much to yourself – one of the times when jetlag is your friend," says Tom Hopkins. "I'm less sure about the Grouse Grind (i.e. walking up the thing), I remember thinking I was starting to struggle and I must be nearly there shortly before reaching a sign saying 'You are 1/4 of the way to the top'. By the end I was overtaken by several senior citizens. If there had been a squeeze/ladyfriend/Selve with me, she may have started to ask some questions."

19th over: Pakistan 80-1 (target 251; Farhat 39, Azhar 6)Farhat times Patel through extra cover for a couple. His one-day career has been a disappointment apart from the purplest of patches in December 2003, but he looks calm and in control today. Pakistan need 171 from 182 balls and are probably slight favourites. "May I suggest that your correspondent who is flying to Vancouver miss Vancouver?" says Nick Lezard. "It is most dull. The surrounding countryside is lovely, when you can see it behind the curtains of rain, but a city that defines itself by how lovely its surrounding countryside is can be said to have fallen at the first hurdle when it comes to being a city."

20th over: Pakistan 87-1 (target 251; Farhat 45, Azhar 6) Farhat is dropped by Kieswetter! Broad, on for Anderson, rammed in a beautifully directed short ball; Farhat shaped to glide it over the top but ended up gloving it to the left of Kieswetter. He leapt to his left and tried to catch with his right hand, but could only help it towards the boundary. Broad has the face on, and Kieswetter should probably have taken it. He actually dived too far, and the ball hit him on the wrist rather than in the glove. He did that last year I think, although I can't remember which game it was. "On the minestrone front, I'm making a Tuscan Three Bean Soup tonight if that is any help?" says Mike Selvey. "Onion softened, garlic sliced, chopped celery, and carrot added and smoked bacon also chopped (pancetta ideally though), tin chopped tomatoes, oregano, rosemary, home made chicken stock, good squirt Heinz TK, 1 tin each borlotti, cannellini, and kidney beans, and some of that tiny star shaped pasta, seasoning. Job done." Selve is a lucky lady, Selve.

21st over: Pakistan 91-1 (target 251; Farhat 47, Azhar 8) Four from Patel's over. Pakistan's required rate is still below 5.5 per over, although they are fractionally behind on the comparison. England were 92 for one at this stage. "Now, just waaaaaaiiiiit a minute – if you're talking steaks then I must recommend Goodmans Steak Restaurant in Bank," says Daniel Beckell. "It was the only thing which took the edge off attending a Will Young gig at Shepherds Bush empire with the wife..." I'm sure it's wonderful, but have you tried the Hawksmoor? You'll never look at a Lidl steak the same again.

WICKET! Pakistan 92-2 (Farhat run out 47) What a preposterous brainfade from Imran Farhat. He was hit on the boot by a loopy slower ball from Broad, who went up for LBW. Farhat instinctively took a few steps down the track while the umpire considered the LBW appeal (which was a decent one), and then dithered inexplicably as Broad followed through to hit the stumps with an underarm throw. Aleem Dar didn't even need to check with the third umpire. It was great work from Broad, but I have no idea what Farhat was doing. He didn't know where the ball had gone, and by the time he realised it was too late.

23rd over: Pakistan 101-2 (target 251; Azhar 13, Younis 3)Patel and Kieswetter go up for LBW when Younis appears to miss a sweep. Aleem Dar does not so much reject the appeal as ignore it, and replays show that it was glove first and then pad. Patel is feeling the back of his leg; hopefully it's just cramp rather than anything more. Azhar Ali brings up the hundred with a brilliantly placed slap through extra cover for four. "William Hardy's suggestion of skiing Banff and Jasper are all well and good except for the part that Banff and Jasper are in the next province to Vancouver, BC," says Bryan Regehr. "And considering that BC itself is larger than the British Isles combined, it may be a bit of a trek from Vancouver to visit those lovely areas in Alberta. Whistler's good though."

24th over: Pakistan 101-2 (target 251; Azhar 13, Younis 3) Swann comes back to replace Broad, who has gone off the field. No idea why. A lot goes on in Swann's fourth over, but nothing happens. Three from it. "I do love the enthusiasm with which you write WICKET!" says Richard Parker. "It perfectly conveys the visions I have of you guys in your sandals and tank-tops jumping up in the air, arms aloft shouting WICKET!!! at the top of your voice… You probably dress in an ultra cool London fashion but that's what you all dress like in my mind." We sure do dress in an ultra cool London fashion. This was the last OBO team photo.

WICKET! Pakistan 104-3 (Younis LBW b Patel 5) Samit Patel has got the big wicket of Younis Khan. Younis missed a sweep at a ball from over the wicket that straightened enough to suggest it might hit leg stump. Aleem Dar certainly thought so. He raised the finger and, although Younis discussed a review with Azhar Ali, he eventually decided to take his medicine. I'm surprised he didn't review it because that was pretty tight.

25th over: Pakistan 108-3 (target 251; Azhar 16, Misbah 2) The new batsman is the LBW ambassador Misbah-ul-Haq. Younis was right not to review the decision, as replays showed it was hitting the outside of leg stump. "I have eaten steak in Michelin starred restaurants in Paris," says Alex Gask. "I have eaten steak in the US of A. I have eaten steak in fine restaurants in Asia & South America. Without doubt the finest, most flavoursome steak I have eaten in my 34 years on this earth was at Hawksmoor on Commercial Street, E1. In fact I have just now resolved to take my wife ("Honey" since you didn't ask) for a belated Valentine's meal there tomorrow night."

26th over: Pakistan 109-3 (target 251; Azhar 17, Misbah 2) Azhar laps Swann just short of square leg. Only one from the over. This is a good spell for England. "You can keep your Hawksmoor rib-eye (and yes, I've had it)," says Martin Whitaker. "This is the true king of steaks, a 2 kg Fiorentina from the backwaters of Emilia-Romagna. Great website too - who knew Albert Einstein was a mushroom picker?"

27th over: Pakistan 113-3 (target 251; Azhar 20, Misbah 3) Patel almost skids the quicker one through Misbah. Just as you start to think, I HEART SAMIT, he gives away a run next ball with a dreadful misfield. It's never going to be simple with Samit Patel, is it? He is becoming a really useful part of this one-day side, though, and is having another decent day here. His figures are 6-0-22-1. "In the aftermath of Valentine's Day I'm far too tired to come up with a neat way to slip this into an e-mail, so this is a shameless request for a plug for something I wrote about cricket and rock music," says Dan Lucas. "If anyone wants to suggest a better title I'll gladly amend it."

28th over: Pakistan 116-3 (target 251; Azhar 21, Misbah 5) How did Misbah get away with that? He premeditated a sweep at Swann, with the ball hitting the pad and then the bat before deflecting this far wide of leg stump. Kieswetter appealed for the stumping as well, but Misbah had dragged his back foot into the crease in time. This is really good stuff from England's spinners. The required run-rate is now above a run a ball. "If Sara is a skier, she will know about Whistler," says Janet Stevens. "If not, I recommend she doesn't go near the place. Unless, that is, she likes overpriced art shops and a pervasive smell of hamburgers. The Public Library's good, though - warm fire, comfortable armchairs, week's supply of the Globe and Mail ..."

29th over: Pakistan 118-3 (target 251; Azhar 22, Misbah 6) Anderson is coming on for Patel. That's a slight surprise because the spinners were doing really well, with only 12 runs coming from the last four overs. Misbah again almost drags on. This time he inside edged the ball into the ground, from where it bounced up to hit him on the backside before dribbling wide of the stumps. Later in the over he inside edges a pull stroke into his stomach. He doesn't look comfortable at the crease, although we have seen in the past that he can switch gears at a stroke.

30th over: Pakistan 126-3 (target 251; Azhar 28, Misbah 8) Azhar Ali reverse sweeps Swann expertly for four. He is playing with impressive certainty in only his second ODI. In fact, he's playing like a man who scored a whitewash-clinching 157 in his previous innings for his country. Eight from the over, a good one for Pakistan. They need 125 from 120 balls. "I've been invited to go skiing in Banff," says Mike Selvey. "Should I go?" Yes. No. Sorry. (I have no idea, but I'm sure our twos of readers will advise one way or the other.)

31st over: Pakistan 132-3 (target 251; Azhar 28, Misbah 13) Another wide from Anderson. England's seamers have been, by their extremely high standards, just a little sloppy tonight – that's the sixth wide of the innings. A couple of twos help make it a decent over for Pakistan. "I am clearly going to have to try the Hawksmoor ribeye as soon as humanly possible, but I'd also ask you to give a mention to the fillet at La Constancia near the southern side of Tower Bridge," says Mark Jelbert. "I was close to tears of joy at one point. As a bonus you can have an Argentinian version of a pasty as a starter, or simply a plate of melted cheese. Heaven." Tears of joy are so 2011. When we go to the Hawksmoor now, and take our first mouthful, we all burst out laughing at how absurdly good it is.

32nd over: Pakistan 135-3 (target 251; Azhar 29, Misbah 15) Swann keeps Pakistan down to only three singles, a very good effort. Pakistan need 116 from 18 overs. "TELL SELVEY TO GO TO BANFF," shouts Niall Smith. "Apologies for the caps but it's amazing. The exchange rate is a pain but Canadians are almost universally unbelievably pleasant." More pleasant than Londoners? Not possible.

WICKET! Pakistan 142-4 (Azhar b Patel 31) Samit Patel strikes again! Azhar Ali was looking dangerous but he was beaten by an excellent quicker ball that zipped on to hit the off stump.

33rd over: Pakistan 143-4 (target 251; Misbah 20, U Akmal 1) "Yesterday's link at the bottom of the fiver to the ski holiday article with John Ashdown and Rachel Dixon took me back to that glorious OBO from August 2010's 3rd Test between England and Pakistan," says Andrew Kelly. "The fish pie scandal. Good to see they're still together... those were some tough times for their relationship."

34th over: Pakistan 149-4 (target 251; Misbah 24, U Akmal 2) Bopara comes on for Swann (8-0-33-0). This is the penultimate over before the batting Powerplay, so both sides are content with low-risk cricket. Four singles and a two make it six from the over. "I don't know about Banff, but I'm going to Barnsley at the weekend for a surprise 50th," says Graeme Anderson. "Is it worth it?"

35th over: Pakistan 151-4 (target 251; Misbah 25, U Akmal 3) Pakistan have a longish tail, having replaced Shoaib Malik with Abdur Rehman, so a huge amount depends on these two and Shahid Afridi. Umar Akmal gives Patel the charge and smokes the ball right back down the ground. Fortunately for England, it clatters into the stumps at the non-striker's end, saving four runs in the process. Two from Patel's over. Pakistan need 100 from 90 balls, and it's time for the batting Powerplay. "All talk of fine steak aside, I've a cricket related query," says Graham Parker. I'm doing a Masters in September in Amsterdam, and I'd like to continue playing cricket at a low level. Does anyone know of any piss-poor Amsterdamian cricket team who I can marvel with my English ways? And I refer to my girlfriend as 'Chuckles'."

36th over: Pakistan 158-4 (target 251; Misbah 26, U Akmal 9) The prettiest brains trust in international cricket – Cook, Broad and Anderson – discuss what England should do next. Broad is coming into the attack. Umar Akmal gives his second ball the charge and smears it down the ground for four; three more singles make it a decent over for Pakistan. This game is poised as deliciously as Simon Adebisi's hat. "I went to Banff for a day trip," says Elliot Carr-Barnsley. "There was a blizzard and there might as well have been no mountains there at all. I couldn't see ANY. Which just makes it a fairly crap, overpriced town in which there is a mexican restaurant where it is someone's job to lower a sombrero onto your head from the other side of the room, via a pulley system as you enter, thus surprising you and entertaining your fellow diners. Plus I don't ski. Another wasted day in my wast Another great day in my life!"

37th over: Pakistan 165-4 (target 251; Misbah 27, U Akmal 14) Steven Finn has been exceptional with the new ball in this series. How will he fare in the Powerplay overs, when batsmen are going after him? Akmal drags the second ball behind square for four, the start of what should be a fascinating little battle between two of world cricket's most exciting young talents. Finn concedes seven from the over, although it was another good one. "To Sara Torvalds: if you're going to Vancouver, I'd recommend the Museum of Anthropology if for no other reason that the building and site are fabulous," says Sharon Walz. "And I second the previous recommendation for taking the gondola up Grouse Mountain, though only if you get one of the very, very rare Vancouver days when it isn't pouring (bring your rain gear regardless!), and a definite no to the Grind unless you have knees of steel and a couple of hours to kill climbing 600+ rickety stairs that seem purposely designed to kill the unwary."

38th over: Pakistan 170-4 (target 251; Misbah 29, U Akmal 17) Akmal lofts Broad back over his head for a couple before lapping on the bounce to short fine leg. Broad hurries a bouncer right through Misbah's attempted pull. Five from an excellent over. Pakistan are slightly ahead I would say. They need 81 from 72 balls. "I don't have first-hand knowledge of Amsterdam cricket," says Pete Kingsley, "but a friend of mine over there has a lot of fun with a club called VRA. They have lots of different teams for various abilities, ages and genders. They might be a good place for Graham Parker to start."

REVIEW! Pakistan 174-4 (Misbah not out 29) Misbah walks across a full, straight delivery from Finn, and the ball flies to the fine-leg boundary off the pad. That looked really close. Aleem Dar said not out, but Misbah had gone a long way across and the ball hit him on the back pad. I think this will be out... and I'm wrong. Replays show it was hitting the outside of leg stump, so the original decision stands and England have lost their review.

WICKET! Pakistan 179-5 (Umar Akmal c Patel b Finn 21) Umar Akmal hammers Finn low to cover, where Patel takes a low catch and throws the ball up in celebration. Akmal hangs around, however, and the on-field umpires decide to go upstairs to see whether the ball carried to the fielder. That usually means a reprieve for the batsman. All cricket common sense suggests it was a clean take, and if so it was an extremely good low catch from Patel. The third umpire Simon Taufel is still looking at replays ... and he's been given out! That's brave umpiring from Taufel, and a really good catch from Patel. He has had an excellent couple of hours. That is a big wicket for England. One more and they are into the tail.

39th over: Pakistan 179-5 (target 251; Misbah 30, Afridi 0) "Has anyone commented on how bad for TV audiences the white ball is under floodlights?" says Jack Savidge. "The ball is completely lost against the glare off the pitch all the way from hand to bat, and seeing the line and length is nigh on impossible. What on earth is the point of the white ball if it makes the glitzy TV product of Twenty20 and ODIs worse for the casual viewer? (If this sounds a bit pompous and sergeant-majorly, its because I'm watching this in the Sports Bar on Haymarket, surely the worlds most diabolical place for watching cricket.)" You say 'seeing the line and length is nigh on impossible'. Surely that's just like being at the game? What more can you ask from TV?

40th over: Pakistan 180-5 (target 251; Misbah 31, Afridi 0) Misbah probably has to bat through if Pakistan are to win. He chips Broad down the ground for a single, bringing Afridi on strike. Broad drives him onto the back foot with some good short balls, the fourth of which roars past Afridi's attempted pull. "Good pace on that. Good wheels," says Waqar Younis approvingly. The next ball beats Afridi as well. Outstanding stuff from Broad. "For Sara going to Vancouver, from someone who lived there for 2.5 years," begins Asad Kiyani. "A decent day in Vancouver: start at the Museum of Anthropology, scoot down to Granville Island for lunch, take a water taxi over to English Bay and then walk along the seawall to Stanley Park, hike up to the lookout point inside the Park itself, then have dinner at Kingyo, a nearby Japanese restaurant."

41st over: Pakistan 184-5 (target 251; Misbah 34, Afridi 1) Another fine over from Finn costs just four, so Pakistan need 67 from 54 balls. "If, as was suggested on the BBC, the ball is shown to be hitting the stumps but close enough for the not out to stand as 'umpire's call', isn't there a good argument that the fielding side should not lose a review as they were right as well," says Adam Roberts. "As Alan Partridges said 'You're right, you're right ….. and so am I'." That's definitely worth considering, yeah. The only danger is that it could all become quite confusing and long-winded, but it's certainly worth thinking about when they revise DRS, as they surely will.

42nd over: Pakistan 191-5 (need 60 runs from 48 balls; Misbah 37, Afridi 5) Afridi is dropped by Broad! He drove the new bowler Patel towards long off, from where Broad ran in and tumbled forward to take an outstanding low catch, only for the ball to burst out of his hands as the rest of his body hit the floor. Seven runs from the over, all in ones and twos.

43rd over: Pakistan 195-5 (need 56 runs from 42 balls; Misbah 39, Afridi 7) The new bowler Anderson beats Misbah with a fine delivery that jags away off the seam. Misbah then scoops an airy single back over the bowler's head. Four from the over, which is fine for England.

44th over: Pakistan 207-5 (need 44 runs from 36 balls; Misbah 40, Afridi 18) Shabash shabash Afridi! He has just manhandled Patel for 10 runs in two balls with a heave over long on and a scorching cover drive. Twelve from the over, and Patel ends with figures of 10-0-51-2. "I once drove from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway with my, erm, significant other at the time, which is stunning and well worth a look (the road's not bad either! Honk)," says Mark Jelbert. "The shine was taken off by an incident along the way though – I saw a particularly huge crow in a layby and had to pull over and get out to take a closer look, while she stayed in the car. After a while she got bored waiting for me (it was really big, I took a while) and got out too, unfortunately assuming I'd taken the keys with me and locking the doors. I hadn't. My window was open slightly, which tempted me to try to lever it open enough to get a hand in with a metal bar someone gave me, but I gave it a bit too much welly and shattered the window. The last 30 miles through the Canadian Rockies were pretty nippy, although it's hard to say whether the wind or her demeanour was frostier."

WICKET! Pakistan 207-6 (Afridi b Anderson 18) Got him! Afridi mows all round a straight delivery from Anderson that rams into middle stump. That wasn't the most responsible shot I suppose, but it's Afridi; this is what we sign up for. Anderson yells with delight. He knows that could be a matchwinning breakthrough.

45th over: Pakistan 207-6 (need 44 runs from 30 balls; Misbah 40, Rehman 0) Anderson is now England's joint leading wickettaker against Pakistan in ODIs. With 27. He almost makes it 28 with a good one that beats Abdur Rehman, the first of four consecutive dot balls to the new batsman. A wicket maiden from Anderson. Outstanding stuff. "Finally got tickets for 1st Day of England v South Africa at Lord's," says Keith Flett. "£180 & a flash of my Tory Party card secured them..." I missed out in the ballot for day two tickets. Bah!

46th over: Pakistan 213-6 (need 38 runs from 24 balls; Misbah 45, Rehman 0) Misbah guides Broad's first ball wide of Morgan at backward point for four, a superb stroke. He's happy to take a single off the next ball, which puts Rehman (ODI batting average 7.18) on strike. He is a No10, not a No8, and he demonstrates that by missing the first three balls he faces from Broad. "This is just not good enough," says Nasser Hussain on Sky. Rehman has nought from eight balls. "He should retire himself," says Ramiz Raja, only half-jokingly.

WICKET! Pakistan 217-7 (Rehman b Finn 1) Finn puts Rehman out of his misery. The ball after being bowled off a free hit, Rehman is bowled again, beaten completely for pace. He made one from 12 balls, and may have won the match for England.

WICKET! Pakistan 217-8 (Misbah c Kieswetter b Broad 47) What a wonderful catch from Craig Kieswetter! Misbah tried to lift Broad over the leg side but instead spooned the ball over the keeper's head, dizzingly high in the air. The ball was swirling horribly as Kieswetter ran back towards the boundary. He appeared to have misjudged the line of it, but then dived full length to his right to take a one-handed catch. Sensational work from Kieswetter, because that was a truly hideous skier. Surely England have won this match now.

48th over: Pakistan 222-8 (need 29 runs from 12 balls; Gul 4, Ajmal 0) Umar Gul pings a short ball from Broad over midwicket for a fantastic one-bounce four. He can hit the ball devastatingly well, and goodness knows why he came in below Rehman. "Is it too soon for me to be buying effigies futures?" says Gary Naylor.

WICKET! Pakistan 222-9 (Gul LBW b Finn 5) Nearly done. Finn traps Umar Gul LBW with a superb yorker that hits him on the back foot. Gul reviewed the decision, probably in the hope of a no-ball as much as anything, but that was absolutely plumb. Finn has three for 26 today and seven for 70 in the series. He is going to make a helluva lot of batsmen crave the serenity of the non-striker's end over the next 10 years.

WICKET! Pakistan 230 all out (Cheema b Finn 1). ENGLAND WIN BY 20 RUNS! Finn knocks back Cheema's middle stump, and England go 2-0 up in the four-match series. This has been an excellent victory. They had to work much harder than in the first match, which will make it a lot more rewarding. In other important respects, as Nasser points out on Sky, this was Groundhog Day: a brilliant century from Cook, a fifty from Bopara, and figures of 10-1-34-4 from the outstanding Finn. Thanks for your emails; night.